Isocord Injection Each 10mg Injection

Isosorbide dinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrates. It widens blood vessels, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and improves blood flow to the heart.

As an injection or drip it is used in hospital to treat:

• heart failure
• angina (chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart)

It may also be used during some heart procedures.

A doctor or nurse dilutes this medicine and gives it slowly into a vein through a drip, or sometimes directly into a heart artery during a procedure.

• Your doctor decides the dose.
• Your pulse and blood pressure will be checked closely during treatment.
• It is not suitable for children.

Common side effects include:

• headache (very common)
• dizziness, drowsiness or weakness
• fast heartbeat
• light-headedness when standing up
• feeling sick, flushing

Tell staff straight away if you have:

• swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
• fainting or collapse
• worsening chest pain
• severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes or genitals

This medicine must not be used if you:

• are allergic to nitrates
• have very low blood pressure, shock, anaemia or low blood volume
• have had a brain bleed or head injury
• have certain heart valve or heart muscle problems
• have glaucoma
• take sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or riociguat

Tell your doctor if you have thyroid, liver or kidney problems, or take other blood pressure medicines or antidepressants.

Hospital staff store the ampoules out of the reach of children. No special storage is needed before opening; once opened it is used straight away.

Erection medicines: never use sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil or vardenafil with nitrates. Blood pressure can fall dangerously low.

Alcohol: avoid alcohol, as it can make dizziness and fainting more likely.

Driving: do not drive if you feel dizzy, tired or have a headache.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask your doctor first.